Why No Miracles?

Notice that Jesus did some mighty works in His hometown of Nazareth. That is why His neighbors could say, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these might works?” when He spoke in their synagogue. But He did not do many miracles there. Why? Because of their lack of faith. They knew, and acknowledged, that Jesus had worked wonders in their midst, as we have seen. They believed that miracles could take place, and that Jesus had performed some in Nazareth. What, then, did they not believe? See how they describe Jesus: “The carpenter’s son.” The son of Mary and brother to several siblings. In other words, just an ordinary man. Jesus was not surprised, for He said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” The important word here is “prophet.” Ever since Moses, Elijah, and Elisha, Jews considered the ability to work wonders the mark of a true prophet. Jesus spoke with wisdom and demonstrated the power of God by healing and delivering diseased and demonized people, but his people did not consider Him to be a prophet. In other words, they failed to recognize who He was. They did not believe in Him as God’s unique messenger. Because they did not believe in Him, Jesus would not – indeed, could not (Mark 6:5) – manifest the might of God in their midst. The same is true today. Those who think Jesus is just an ordinary man will not experience the transforming power of His grace. They will see few, if any, miracles. But those who trust in Him as the Prophet of God, the Word of God, the eternal Son of God, will watch manifold wonders unfold before their very eyes, and in their own hearts.